Neighborhoods and Big Business

* The editorial headline “Recognizing That Our Neighborhoods Belong to Us” (Dec. 8) omitted the caveat typically made by the editorial writers of the Los Angeles Times: as long as neighbors do not infringe on the absolute “right” of business, particularly big business, over our neighborhoods. Where is The Times’ support of neighbors trying to help their neighborhoods from the noise, crime and traffic that will result from the doubling of the size of MCA / Universal? Where is The Times’ support of neighbors trying to help their neighborhoods from the noise, pollution and safety concerns by the current and planned growth of Van Nuys Airport and Burbank-Glendale--Pasadena Airport? Why should The Times only support neighbors when neighbors have to take on the responsibility for services for which we thought our tax dollars were paying: crime and safety, maintaining street medians?

There are lots of community organizations throughout this city which, while being chided as NIMBYs, volunteer their valuable and limited free time to try to hold on to some semblance of a livable city: painting out graffiti every week, tearing down advertisements nailed to trees, working with local law enforcement, working with local businesses on zoning issues, raising funds for new libraries. While we try to work with the intricate bureaucracy of the city and county and with businesses and developers to reach workable accommodations that provide economic benefit to the community, along with an acceptable standard of living, it would be nice if The Times would be as willing to examine business activities with the same microscope that it applies to its oversight of our local governments.

THOMAS R. CONROY

Studio City